Big Mac Salad (twist on a fast food favorite!)

Enjoy the nostalgic flavors of a classic Big Mac without the bun with this Big Mac Salad.

Perfect for satisfying fast food cravings in a more wholesome form, this salad combines all the beloved elements of a Big Mac in a fresh and delicious way.

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This Big Mac Salad is not only a great lunch option but also a perfect dish for easy entertaining and make-ahead meals.

I do recommend making and eating this fresh for best taste. Note: If you make this ahead, I recommend keeping the beef and dressing separate. That way you can reheat the beef before putting it on the salad. Storing the dressing separate will keep the greens from wilting.

Enjoy the taste of your favorite burger in the form of a satisfying, nutritious salad that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering or a quiet night in.

How to Make Big Mac Salad

First, gather your ingredients.

Ingredients

For best taste, always use the highest quality ingredients you have access to.

To make this Big Mac Salad recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• Mayonnaise
• Ketchup
• Dill pickles
• Yellow mustard
• White vinegar
• Paprika
• Lean ground beef
• Avocado oil
• Kosher salt
• Ground black pepper
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Chili powder
• Shredded lettuce
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Cherry tomatoes
• Sesame seeds

Feel free to add a drizzle of Worcestershire sauce to the dressing for an extra kick of flavor, or use iceberg lettuce for a crisper texture. Any lettuce works though!

Although I recommend using ground beef for best taste, you could also totally make this with ground turkey. It would still be delicious.

While this is suitable for those on a low-carb diet as is, y’all feel free to make it your own if you want something starchy to round this out! Add a toasted bun on the side, or some croutons for extra crunch, if you wish.

Cooking Big Mac Salad

Big Mac Salad is a delightful recipe that can be made in just a few simple steps.

Make copycat big mac sauce

Start by preparing the dressing, which is inspired my that iconic special sauce: mix mayonnaise, ketchup, chopped dill pickle, mustard, vinegar, and paprika in a small bowl. Set aside the Big Mac dressing or refrigerate for later use.

Cooking seasoned beef

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Season the ground beef with salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and chili powder. Cook until brown and crumbly, about 8-10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the beef to a bowl, allowing excess grease to drain.

Assembling Big Mac salad

In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded lettuce, cheddar cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped pickles. Add the cooked ground beef.

Then drizzle with the prepared dressing. I swear this homemade dressing is even better than the original!

Toss everything together, if you wish, until well mixed. Or you can leave it as is to load each forkful to create the perfect bite each time.

Sprinkle sesame seeds over the salad as a garnish before serving. Optional, but it gives a wink and a nod to that classic sesame seed bun.

I hope you enjoy this Big Mac salad! Be sure and let me know if you try it!

Leftovers

This salad is best fresh, and I do not recommend saving it for leftovers. If you must save leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 days. These will likely wilt, the longer it goes.

Always use common sense and good judgement when it comes to leftovers, though! If something looks or smells off, it’s better to be safe and discard it.

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